N20568:1126
The new and complete book of martyrs; or, An universal history of martyrdom: being…
The new and complete book of martyrs; or, An universal history of martyrdom: being Fox's Book of martyrs, revised and corrected, with additions and great improvements. : Containing an authentic account of the lives, persecutions and sufferings of the holy martyrs; and the many dreadful persecutions against the Church of Christ in all parts of the world, by pagans, Jews, Turks, papists, and others, from earliest ages of the church to the present period. ... The whole forming at once a general Christian martyrology, and a complete history of persecutions. / By the Rev. Mr. John Fox, M.A. late of Magdalen College, Oxford. ; Now revised, corrected and improved, with many additional articles, relating to the acts and monuments of the church. By Paul Wright, D.D. ; Embellished with forty elegant copper plate engravings. ; In two volumes. Vol. I[-II].The new and complete book of martyrs; or, An universal history of martyrdom: being Fox's Book of marytrs, revised and corrected, with additions and great improvements. : Containing an authentic account of the lives, persecutions and sufferings of the holy martyrs; and the many dreadful persecutions against the Church of Christ in all parts of the world, by pagans, Jews, Turks, papists, and others, from earliest ages of the church to the present period. ... The whole forming at once a general Christian martyrology, and a complete history of persecutions. / By the Rev. Mr. John Fox, M.A. late of Magdalen College, Oxford. ; Now revised, corrected and improved, with many additional articles, relating to the acts and monuments of the church. By Paul Wright, D.D. ; Embellished with forty elegant copper plate engravings. ; In two volumes. Vol. I[-II].
New-York: printed by William Durell, 1794
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Volume 1 › Chapter 4 › An Account of the Rise, Progress, &c. of the INQUISITION.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
A defence in the inquisition is of •ittle use […] prisoner, for a suspicion only is deemed sufficient cause of condemnation, and the greater his wealth the greater his danger. The principal part of the inquisitors cruelties is owing to their •apacity: they destroy the life to possess th• property; and, under the pretence of zeal, plunder each obnoxious individual.
A defence in the inquisition is of •ittle use 〈…〉 prisoner, for a suspicion only is deemed sufficient cause of condemnation, and the greater his wealth the greater his danger. The principal part of the inquisitors cruelties is owing to their •apacity: they destroy the life to possess th• property; and, under the pretence of zeal, plunder each obnoxious individual.
A prisoner to the inquisitors is never allowed to s•e the face of his accuser, or of the witnesses against him, but every method is taken, by threat• and tortures, to oblige him to accuse himself, and by that means corroborate their evidence. If the jurisdiction of the inquisition is not fully allowed, vengeance is denounced against such as call it in question, or if any of its officers are opposed, those […] oppose them are almost certain to be sufferers for their temerity; the maxim of the inquisition being, to strike terror, and awe those who are the objects of its power, into obedience. High birth, distinguished rank, great dignity, or •minent employments, are no protection from its severities; and the lowest officers of the inquisition can make the highest characters tremble.
A prisoner to the inquisitors is never allowed to se the face of his accuser, or of the witnesses against him, but every method is taken, by threat and tortures, to oblige him to accuse himself, and by that means corrborate their evidence. If the jurisdiction of the inquisition is not fully allowed, vengeance is denounced against such as call it in qustion, or if any of its officers are opposed, those oppose them are almost certain to be sufferers for their temerity; the maxim of the inquisition being, to strike terror, and awe those who are the objects of its power, into obedience. High birth, distinguished rank, great dignity, or minent mployments, are no protection from its severities; and the lowest officers of the inquisition can make the highest characters tremble.